Adventures – Two Wild Tides

Local Event Highlight: Savour Food & Wine Show 2019

March 18, 2019 | Leave a Comment

Every year, the Restaurant Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (RANL) puts off an amazing event that highlights local restaurants, food and beverage distributors, and businesspeople. It’s called the Savour Food and Wine Show, and this year, I was lucky enough to attend.

For those who don’t know what to expect at this type of event (because I didn’t), there are booths with local food and beverage samples that you get to try. You can mingle, chat with patrons and vendors, try some delicious snacks and drinks, and then vote on your favourites. There are also lifestyle booths and musical performances to take in.

I loved the Savour Food and Wine Show for the excellent selection of vendors (over 50!!), the friendly and helpful volunteers, and the logistics of the event– there were no lineups, traffic jams, or major hiccups (that I could observe as a guest). The venue was perfect: the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre is well-known and centrally located. After the show, my friend and I even stopped in the newly-renovated lobby bar for a final drink to end the night, which was lovely. If you attend the 2020 Savour Food and Wine Show, I highly recommend booking a room and making a night of it!

Let’s talk about favourites:

I stopped by several food tables. Restaurants at the event included local hotspots such as Adelaide Oyster House, Sushi Nami Royale, Ches’s Fish and Chips, Chinched, Gypsy Tea Room, Coffee Matters, and Piatto Pizzeria. There were also newer or less well-known restaurants like Moxie’s, Green Door, Quesada, and PJ Billington’s. My most memorable bites were the chicken and mushroom rigatoni from Moxie’s, the hand rolls from Sushi Nami Royale, and the miso and sweet potato cheesecake from Green Door. Click on the pictures below for a closer look.

Moxie’s chicken and mushroom rigatoni was so flavourful.
Sushi Nami Royale’s hand rolls were so fresh and delicious! Did you know that twowildtides was actually born at Sushi Nami Royale??
Green Door’s miso and sweet potato cheesecake was absolutely mouthwatering. What an interesting combination for a dessert! It was served with a dahl dish that was also scrumptious.

I made sure I stopped by each and every beverage table (haha). There was such a wide variety of alcohol available. There was, of course, many types of wine, but there was also Palm Bay, Disaronno Amaretto, spiced rum, beer, cider, whisky, Newfie Screech, and vodka. My favourite wines, although not pictured, were the Yellowtail Pinot Grigio (which has been a go-to for me for quite some time) and the Auk Island Winery Vinland Red. Other standout beverages were the Maker’s Mark Whisky cocktails, Palm Bay’s new mimosas and rosés, Landwash Brewery’s ‘Smiling Land’ brew, and Rock Spirits’ sangria selection.

I also want to give a shoutout to NL Fruit Bouquets for their scrumptious banana split bites. I could have eaten that whole platter!!

Overall, RANL’s Savour Food and Wine Show was such a fun event. It opened my eyes to new restaurants and liquor to try and old favourites that I plan on revisiting soon. I am already planning Savour Food and Wine Show 2020 with my mom because I know she’ll love it and I am already itching to go again. Please reach out to us if you have any questions about the event or I am sure RANL will be happy to answer your questions as well. Let us know if you plan on attending next year! Did you go this year? What were your faves? Leave us a comment below or on social media, @twowildtides.

Please check out RANL: online, on Facebook, and on Instagram. You can visit the Savour Food and Wine Show Facebook page here— be sure to give them a like to be kept updated about future events!

xoxo,
char

Sunny Days in Phuket

March 14, 2019 | Leave a Comment

We flew into Phuket on a Sunday afternoon. We arrived at our hostel in the city centre called Vitamin Sea. It was honestly one of the best hostels that we stayed in during our entire trip. We met some super cool people, were able to avoid the tourist traps, and enjoy the beauty of Phuket.

Our stay at the Vitamin Sea Hostel was incredible because Pro really took the time to help us figure out what we wanted to see, book tours, and explore the town like a local. PLUS she knew it was my birthday and brought me a fruit plate in the morning (because I can’t eat cake and she still wanted me to celebrate). It was complete with candles and she made everyone sing. It truly was super special. It was the sweetest moment: her hospitality and kindness did not go unnoticed. She’s there to help you with anything you need and she’ll sit down for a drink too. We loved our stay at this hostel and would go back in a heartbeat. Thank you, Pro!

The night of our arrival happened to be the same night as the weekly market. We took a stroll through the market which is only a stone’s throw from the hostel. There was all kinds of food, souvenir and clothing vendors along the street. Musicians and performers were also scattered throughout the space. It was really cool – grab a bite and take in some local entertainment.

The next day we chose to go soak in some rays at the beach. Pro suggested that we visit Karon Beach because it’s a little quieter and less touristy. We hopped on the local transit which was essentially the back of a pick-up truck but definitely the way to go. It was super cheap and saved us cab fair. The bus runs hourly so keep that in mind when you decide to head back into town. When we arrived the sun was shining, the water was incredibly warm and the views were amazing. The water was also super calm and peaceful which made swimming a breeze. We were beyond excited to relax there for the day. It was the perfect day. The bonus excitement of this day was finding Bake Free which featured a ton of GF/DF food. Needless to say I was in heaven and polished off a real meal before heading back to the beach.

GF/DF – This cafe allowed me to eat an actual meal! SO GOOD.

What’s your favourite beach in Thailand? Do you have any preferences? Let us know in the comments below!

xoxo,
linds

My 23rd in Paradise

March 11, 2019 | 1 Comment

I was fortunate enough to celebrate my birthday on the other side of the world in Thailand. I was beyond excited to ring in my 23rd year on the planet in such a beautiful place. It was my birthday after all so… I decided to splurge on one night in a nice, fancy resort. Let me tell you it was a big upgrade from a $12 hostel bed.

I arrived at Cape Sienna Gourmet Hotel & Villas in Phuket with my best friend of 20 years. Our smelly hostel backpacks, shirts that were rinsed out in the sink and messy buns were slightly out of place. BUT we had no problem switching gears and embracing a little luxury. Many travellers we met abroad spoke of the need to treat yourself here and there on your backpack adventure. Sleeping in a room with 10 strangers on little bunk beds definitely builds character but we welcomed a taste of the high life.

I have to admit that I’d never experienced anything like this before in my entire life. We arrived at the hotel entrance where we were met by security, they took said smelly backpacks of ours and put us in an elevator. (The lobby wasn’t even on the ground level). Once we reached the top, we exited the elevators and all we could see was palm trees and the stunning turquoise water. We both looked at each other and giggled like 4 year olds getting a second cupcake. It was pretty neat.

We got a real kick out of the next part – we were escorted to a couch and there were welcome drinks waiting for us. But what really gave us a chuckle was the fact that we got to smell 3-4 different scents to choose which shampoo, conditioner and lotion scent we wanted in our room. (UMM WHAT?!) For the record we picked the citrus one. After this elaborate process, we were escorted to our room.

As we walked into the room, my jaw literally dropped to the floor. It was gorgeous. The room was huge, with a super comfy bed, sitting area, rainfall glass shower & jacuzzi/hot tub on the balcony overlooking the ocean. I could not believe this was my real life but I was so grateful.

The hotel had 2 big swimming pools and many little ones. The main pool was situated by one of the property’s restaurants, The Poolside Restaurant & Bar. The other large pool was located across the street and just so happened to be an infinity pool. It was a lot of fun. We definitely soaked up the rays, worked on the tan and enjoyed one too many iced teas by the pool. (Seriously, the peach iced tea is the best thing ever!).

We ate at the restaurant near the pool a number of times. It was delicious – and there were a ton of me-friendly options. It was so nice to be able to sample traditional Thai cuisine that wouldn’t make me sick. I loved the fried rice. After dark, we headed up to the rooftop bar and enjoyed a drink. We seriously did not want to leave– it was amazing.

Surprising that I didn’t turn into an iced tea…

We soaked up every minute that we had at the resort. The staff were super friendly, the accommodations were incredible, & the view, well, it was unbelievable. If anyone is curious in checking out the hotel– we stayed in the Sea View Jacuzzi Junior Suite (highly recommend)!

Thailand, I will be back!

xoxo,
linds

P.S. This post is not sponsored – we seriously just had the best time!

P.P.S. Can I please have my tan back? haha

Island Hopping: Singapore Edition

March 7, 2019 | Leave a Comment

I always like to get off the beaten path during my travels. It’s fun to see the tourist attractions but I’m interested in the hidden gems as well. Pulau Ubin was just that, a small, quiet island off the coast of Singapore. We hopped in a “junk boat” for $3 and headed off for a day of exploration!

The island is accessible on foot and/or bicycle. As soon as we arrived, we chose to rent bikes (the cheapest ones available) for about $5-10. It was a great way to see the island. Keep in mind these bikes have a lot of wear and tear, so you’ll likely be getting an extra great leg workout. There are a lot of different paths to explore so check out the map and pick a direction.

The island is ideal for a little fresh air. We spent the whole day biking, hiking and walking. It was a great, muddy workout. The lakes, forest and landscape were all stunning. The island is an indication of Singapore’s past and is shaped like a boomerang. The Chek Jawa Wetlands can be found on the island and they’re one of Singapore’s richest ecosystems.

Challenge yourself to see as much of the island as possible, check out the trails, look out and old buildings. Plus, if you’re looking for a snack there’s a little restaurant by the water. It’s a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city. We loved it!

xoxo,
linds

A Taste of Singapore

March 4, 2019 | Leave a Comment

As my adventure abroad continued, I found myself in Singapore. I relished every opportunity to experience and explore a new place. My time in Singapore was quite short but still incredible. It was not my favourite stop of the trip but I was still amazed by the sights!

A lot of time in Singapore was spent exploring on foot, taking in the stunning architecture and experiencing its multiculturalism. The first day was spent wandering through Chinatown, Little India and the downtown core. I saw some incredible buildings, bridges, places of worship, and landmarks. Enjoy the photos below:

After walking for hours, we made our way to Gardens by the Bay – one of the most famous locations in Singapore. It was incredible! The park is huge so plan accordingly if you want to see everything. We started at the Flower Dome and got to see flowers from all over the world. Plus we were there before Christmas and got to take in all of the decor! We then ventured through the Conservatory Cloud Forest which was unbelievable. The waterfall helped to create the most amazing atmosphere. It was so neat, I had never experienced something so grand inside. Finally, we took a walk through the special Christmas area, complete with fake snow and wintery treats. There’s also a nightly light and sound show that runs at 7:45 p.m. & 8:45 p.m. daily. If you have time I highly recommend checking it out.

There’s a lot to explore in this expensive and modern city. Take in the sights, stop for a drink (although you may have to drop $15-20 CAD for one) and relax. On the plus side the Hawkers Centres offer meals for those with no food allergies at only $2.00 CAD. Singapore is an interesting place and I only scratched the surface.